Firstly, let me apologize for starting another hardware thread. I'm usually always good using the search function, but since I'm not well versed with non-mac components, I just don't know if these threads are up to date enough. I'm a professional retoucher and only have macs. I just got a new Mac Pro 12 core, and sadly, I know that it won't cut it with the FSX software architecture. After seeing the videos of the upcoming NGX and what other people are making their sim look like - I know its time to bite the bullet and start looking into building a rig just for FSX. I'll need to assemble this thing slowly because I doubt my wife will just on the idea of "another computer", so I was thinking about just buying each component through newgg or something similar overtime. If anyone has a better site that they know of, that would be helpful too. So my question is to Ryan, and everyone else here on these forums, what are the best components and combinations of hardware that will run the NGX along with all the eye candy add-ons, at a comfortable frame rate. Thanks guys. Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!Cheers

Firstly, let me apologize for starting another hardware thread. I'm usually always good using the search function, but since I'm not well versed with non-mac components, I just don't know if these threads are up to date enough. I'm a professional retoucher and only have macs. I just got a new Mac Pro 12 core, and sadly, I know that it won't cut it with the FSX software architecture. After seeing the videos of the upcoming NGX and what other people are making their sim look like - I know its time to bite the bullet and start looking into building a rig just for FSX. I'll need to assemble this thing slowly because I doubt my wife will just on the idea of "another computer", so I was thinking about just buying each component through newgg or something similar overtime. If anyone has a better site that they know of, that would be helpful too. So my question is to Ryan, and everyone else here on these forums, what are the best components and combinations of hardware that will run the NGX along with all the eye candy add-ons, at a comfortable frame rate. Thanks guys. Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!Cheers

Definitely go for the new Sandybridge CPU's. I recommend the 2500K if FSX is your main concern. For the RAM, anything over 4GB is fine. For the GPU, go for an Nvidia graphics card, preferably a 570 or 480 but FSX can run almost just as well on an even cheaper card. Of course, keep in mind that you would need a P67 motherboard if you want a 2500K. If you have more money to spend, a solid state hard drive will give FSX a little bit of a loading boost but that's your call as it is still quite expensive. One more thing, you will want to overclock the CPU so a good cooler like the Noctua NH-D14 or a Corsair H70 is highly recommended to keep your CPU nice and cool. You will love the 2500K as it's VERY easy to overclock.

CPU seems to be the most important part of a FSX pc, the faster you can run it the better. Graphics cards are not a big part of the sim but other games you play will benifit from a better Card so a GTX460 or better will be just fine. Really depends how much you want to spend and what you do with your PC Stear clear of ATI, as mentioned in a previous thread they refuse to support FSX as they say its too old and there are issues. Remeber there is still no PC that you can buy that can run will all sliders maxed and scenery installed. At least not at a playable FPS Unless of course you have some crazy Nitrogen Cooled PC running at 7 GHz like I saw on youtube =)

I am starting to build a new fsx computer myself. I got a 2500k and a asus p8p67pro motherboard. I am still trying to decide on a new PS and video card that won't break the bank. the 570 and 580 cards are too pricey for just fsx.. any recomendations

I am starting to build a new fsx computer myself. I got a 2500k and a asus p8p67pro motherboard. I am still trying to decide on a new PS and video card that won't break the bank. the 570 and 580 cards are too pricey for just fsx.. any recomendations

Gtx 460 or 560 ti.

The new iMac's (mine's the 27" 3.4GHz quad core, 16GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1TB HDU/256GB SSD combo, AMD Radeon HD 6970M with 2GB GDDR VRAM) are well able to run FSX to a very reasonable degree... I get a good fps out of it and have most of my sliders set to max, with a moderate number of ORBX content, the 747-400x and the MD11 plus some of EagleSoft's GA aircraft running on it and it runs quite smoothly on it... It only becomes a bit painful if there is heavy cloud/precipitation on takeoff or approach into a high density city (like ORBX YBBN)... In those cases I reduce my cloud settings and that works well too.Andrew is right though... I have not seen any FSX rig able to deal with massive CC and all sliders set to max smoothly in bad weather conditions, without ridiculous overclocking.Hope this helps.Cheers,Brian